Traveling bag protector

ABSTRACT

A protective covering for a traveling bag comprising a housing having a cavity dimensioned to encompass the covered traveling bag is provided. The housing has substantially an equivalent shape to the covered traveling bag. The housing further comprises of an upper section, lower section, front section, back section, a first side section and opposite second side section. Each section can be a panel with a polygonal shape. A slot disposed within the upper panel such that it is aligned over the handle of the covered traveling bag and is dimensioned to hold the handle of the covered bag in a telescoped position. The lower panel further comprises at least one opening in the dimensioned to accommodate the bottom of the covered traveling bag. The protective covering further comprises inlet means for insertion and removal of the traveling bag into the cavity of the housing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to luggage utilized to travel longdistances. More particularly the present invention relates to protectivecoverings for luggage utilized to travel long distances. In the priorart there are several types of luggage utilized for travel, for example,U.S. Pat. No. 6,431,580 B1 to Kady, shows an improvement on prior artfor a collapsible wheeled caddy. The wheeled caddy, having multiplepurposes, has a front and back panel, vertically hinged side panels, ahinged bottom panel and retractable handles within the back panel, U.S.Pat. No. 6,109,627 to Be, shows a bowling bag carrier, carrying two orthree bags loaded with a plurality of bowling balls and allowing a userto easily receive or remove bowling balls into or from the bags. Thewheeled bag may lie on its side or stand on its bottom. U.S. Pat. No.5,074,571 to Reese, shows an apparatus for transporting, storing andcarrying a plurality of bowling balls, bowling accessories andequipment, includes a housing having vertically stacked interiorcompartments for storing bowling balls and U.S. Pat. No 5,431,428 toMarchwiak, et al. shows a carrying case assembly is provided with a casedefining an enclosed interior, and a collapsible handle assemblydisposed within the case. The handle assembly includes a push buttonwhich allows the handle to collapse within the case. Wheels are providedon the outside of the case so that, in conjunctions with the extendedhandle, the case may be transported as if it were a wheeled cart.

What is needed is a covering to protect a passenger's luggage whiletraveling on public transportation such as airplanes, buses, and trains.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a protective covering for a travelingbag. The protective covering further comprises a housing having anupper, lower, front, back, a first side and opposite second sidesections. Each section can be a panel. The shape of the protectivecovering is equivalent to the shape of the traveling bag and the housinghas a cavity dimensioned to encompass the traveling bag. The protectivecovering further includes a slot within the upper panel that is alignedover the handle of the traveling bag and is dimensioned to accommodatethe handle of the traveling bag in a telescoped position.

The present invention further comprises an inner layer cushioning meansabutting and is securely attached to and spans the interior wall of thefront panel. The present invention has a releasable fastening meansstrategically placed on a selected panel for easy insertion and removalof the travel bag into the cavity of the housing of the protectivecovering. In some embodiments the releasable fastening means can beaffixed to the peripheral edges of upper panel or the back panel. Inother embodiments the releasable fastening means can be verticallydisposed or horizontally disposed across the back panel. The bottompanel can have at least one opening to accommodate the wheels and/orstand of the travel bag.

Various embodiments of the bottom panel of the present invention forsupporting various bottom types of traveling bags are disclosed. In someembodiments the bottom panel has a single rectangular opening and inother embodiments the bottom panel has a single elongated opening havingan oval opening aligned above or below an integrated rectangular shapedopening.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the present invention, a protectivecovering for a traveling bag.

FIG. 2 is a top plan internal view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a rear view of the bottom panel of the protectivecovering.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the bottom panel of the protective coveringillustrating an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the bottom panel of the protective coveringillustrating an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the bottom panel of the protective coveringillustrating an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the bottom panel of the protective coveringillustrating an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the inlet means for the presentinvention along the side panel.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the inlet means for the present invention alongthe side panel in an opened position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the inlet means along an edge of thebottom panel.

FIG. 11 illustrates a side view of the inlet means vertically disposedat an intermediate point on the back panel.

FIG. 12 illustrates the inlet means in an opened position.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side view of the inlet means horizontally disposedupon the back panel.

FIG. 14 illustrates the inlet means in an opened position.

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of the inlet means disposed along theedges of the upper panel in an open position of upper panel withreleasable means.

FIG. 16 illustrates a top view of the inlet means disposed along theedges of the upper panel in a closed position of upper panel withreleasable means.

FIG. 17 illustrates a top view of the inlet means disposed horizontallyacross each side panel.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the inlet means along the upper edges of theback panel.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the inlet means along the upper edges of theback panel in an opened position.

FIG. 20 illustrates a side view of the present invention having inletmeans incorporated into a second upper panel overlying the second upperpanel.

FIG. 21 illustrates a side view of the present invention having inletmeans incorporated into a second upper panel overlying the first upperpanel in an opened position.

FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention having the inlet means incorporated into upper panels of thehousing.

DETAILED SPECIFICATION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the presentinvention, a protective covering (100) for a traveling bag (500). Theprotective covering (100) for the traveling bag (500) includes a housing(110) defined by an upper section (115), a bottom section (117), a frontsection (120), a back section (125), a first side section (130), and anopposite side section (135).

In the illustrated embodiment, housing (110) has a cavity dimensioned toencompass the covered traveling bag (500). Each section of the housing(110) has substantially an equivalent shape to each section of thetraveling bag (500). In this kind of embodiment, each section of thehousing (110) has a panel with a polygonal shape.

Protective covering (100) further includes slot (145) within the upperpanel (115) aligned over the handle of the traveling bag and dimensionedto accommodate the handle of covered traveling bag (500) in a telescopedposition as shown in FIG. 1. The protective covering (100) can be madeof strong synthetic polyester or another suitable material in whichluggage is made of. Additionally, the bottom panel (117) can be made ofa sturdy rigid material such as plastic or another suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown, a top plan view of the presentinvention. In the illustrated embodiment, the present invention furtherincludes at least one opening within the bottom panel (117) toaccommodate the wheels and/or the stand of the covered traveling bag(500). As illustrated in this particular embodiment, the bottom panel(117) has two openings. First opening (150) is dimensioned toaccommodate the stand of the covered bag. Second opening (155) isdimensioned to accommodate the wheels of the covered bag.

The illustrated embodiment further comprises an inner layer cushioningmeans (122) abutting and securely attached to the interior wall of thefront panel (120). Additionally, the inner layer cushioning means (122)spans the interior wall of the front panel (120). Cushioning means (122)can be made of Styrofoam, sponge, or another suitable means. Inalternative embodiments, cushioning means (122) can partially spans theinterior wall of front panel (120). An inlet means (170) provides accessfor insertion and removal of the traveling bag into the cavity of thehousing (110).

As shown in FIG. 1, the illustrated embodiment further includes at leastone handle means (175) securely attached to the exterior of the firstside panel (130) of protective covering (100). Handle means (175) isaligned parallel to the slot (145) in the upper panel (115).Additionally, handle means (175) can attach to the exterior of theopposite second side panel (135), the front panel (120), the back panel(125) or the upper panel (115). In alternative embodiments, a secondhandle means (175) can be attached to the opposite second side panel(135) or any of the additional panels of the protective covering (100).

Referring to FIGS. 3-7, there is shown various alternative embodimentsof the bottom panel (117) of the present invention for supportingvarious types of traveling bags. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown arear view of the bottom panel (117) having a single rectangular openingcentered in bottom panel (117). Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown arear view of the bottom panel (117) having a single elongated opening(150) centered in bottom panel (117). Elongated opening (150) comprisesan oval opening aligned above and integrated into a rectangular shapeopening. Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a rear view of the bottompanel (117) having a single elongated rectangular opening centered inbottom panel (117). Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a rear view ofthe bottom panel (117) having a single elongated opening (150) centeredin bottom panel (117). Elongated opening (150) comprises an oval openingaligned below and integrated into a rectangular shape opening. Referringto FIG. 7, there is shown a rear view of the bottom panel (117) havingtwo small circular openings (150, 155) spaced at opposite ends of thebottom panel (117).

Referring to FIGS. 8-23, there is shown alternative embodiments for theinlet means (170) of the present invention. Inlet means (170) in thepresent invention can be implemented utilizing zippers or other suchcompatible releasable fastening means.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown one embodiment of how inlet means(170) is attached to the present invention. In the illustratedembodiment, first side panel (130) has a hexagonal shape. Additionally,the opposite second side panel (135) is also hexagonal as shown in FIG.9. However, the upper panel (115), bottom panel (117), and back panel(125) each has a rectangular shape. Side panel (130) and opposite secondside panel (135) further include an upper edge (220), a lower edge(320), a first side edge (230) and an adjoined opposite second side edge(330). Releasable fastening means (170) is affixed to the upper edge(215), the lower edge (217) and the first side edge (230). As shown inFIG. 9, while in an opened position side panel (130) can pivot backwardand forward along the second opposite side edge (330) allowing thecovered bag to be inserted into the housing cavity of protectivecovering (100).

Referring to FIG. 10, releasable fastening means (170) is affixed ontoan edge of the back panel (125). In this kind of embodiment, back panel(125) further includes an adjoined upper edge (220), a releasableattached lower edge (320), a detachable first side edge (230) and adetachable opposite second side edge (330). Releasable fastening means(170) is affixed to the lower edge (320) and can be a zipper means oranother such compatible means First side edge (230) and opposite sideedge (330) can be equipped with attachable and detachable means such asVelcro. As shown in FIG. 10, while in an opened position back panel(125) pivots upward along the upper edge (220) allowing access into thehousing cavity of protective covering (100).

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, releasable fastening means (170) isaffixed vertically (170) across the back panel (125) at an intermediatelocation dividing the back panel (125) into a left section (129) and aright section (131). The back panel (125) is further defined by anadjoined left edge (229) and an adjoined right edge (231), a detachedupper edge (215) and a detached lower edge (217). As shown in FIG. 12,in an opened position the left section (129) is pivoted outward alongthe left edge (229) and the right section (131) is pivoted outward alongthe right edge (231), whereby the covered bag can be inserted into andremoved from the protective covering. In alternative embodiment, theupper edge (215) and the lower edge can be equipped with attachable anddetachable means such as Velcro.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, releasable fastening means (170) isaffixed horizontally across the back panel (125) at an intermediatelocation dividing the back panel (125) into an upper section (127) and alower section (126). The back panel (125) is further defined by anadjoined upper edge (227) and an adjoined lower edge (226), a detachedside edge (270), and a detached opposite side edge (271). In theillustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 14, while in an opened position(135), the upper section (127) is pivoted upward along the upper edge(227) and the lower section (126) is pivoted downward along the loweredge (226) allowing the covered bag to be inserted into and removed fromthe housing cavity of the protective covering (100). In alternativeembodiments, protective covering (100), side edge (271) and oppositeside edge (270) can be equipped with attachable and detachable meanssuch as Velcro.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, releasable fastening means (170) isaffixed to the peripheral edges of upper panel (115). Upper panel (115)further includes an adjoined lower edge (317), a detached upper edge(315), a detached first side edge (230), and a detached opposite secondside edge (330). Releasable fastening means (170) is affixed along theupper edge (315), the first side edge (230) and the opposite second sideedge (330). As shown in FIG. 15, while in an opened position (135) theupper panel (115) would pivot forward and backward upon the lower edge(317).

Referring to FIG. 17, releasable fastening means (170) is affixedhorizontally (170) across each side panel (130, 135) at an intermediatelocation dividing each side panel (130,135) into an upper section (127)and a lower section (126). Each side panel (130,135) is further definedby an adjoined upper edge (215), an adjoined lower edge (217), adetached side edge (330) and a detached opposite side edge (331). Asshown in FIG. 17, while in an opened position, the upper section (127)pivots upward along the lower edge (217) and the lower section (126)pivots downward along the lower edge (218) allowing the traveling bag tobe inserted into and removed from the housing cavity of the protectivecovering (100). In alternative embodiments, the upper edge (215) and thelower edge (217) can be equipped with attachable and detachable meanssuch as Velcro.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, releasable fastening means (170) isaffixed to the peripheral edges of the back panel (125). Back panel(125) is further defined by an upper edge (220), an adjoined lower edge(221), a first side edge (320) and an opposite second side edge (321).In this embodiment, releasable fastening means (170) is affixed to theupper edge (221), the first side edge (320) and the opposite second sideedge (321). As shown in FIG. 19, while in an opened position the backpanel (125) can pivot upward and downward along the lower edge (221)such that the traveling bag can be inserted into and removed from thehousing cavity of the protective covering (100).

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, there is shown an alternative embodimentof the present invention of a protective covering for a traveling bag.In the illustrated embodiment, protective covering (100) includes ahousing further defined by an upper panel (115); a lower panel (117), afront panel (120), a back panel (125), a first side panel (130), and anopposite second side panel (135). Back panel (125) is further defined byan adjoined lower edge (230), a detached first side edge (231), adetached second side edge (232), and an upper edge (233). Adjoined toupper edge (233) is a second upper panel (116). Each slot (145, 146) isdimensioned to accommodate the perimeter of the upper opening (115). Asshown in FIG. 21, each upper panel (115, 116) has a slot (145, 146)which is situated within the upper panel to align over the handle of thecovered traveling bag. Each slot (145, 146) is dimensioned toaccommodate the handle of the traveling bag in a telescoped positionwhen the handle is extending upward. When in a closed position, thesecond upper panel (116) overlays the first upper panel (115) with slot(146) overlying slot (145). The second upper panel (116) is releasablyconnected to the side edge (200) of first upper panel (115) using zippermeans or another such compatible means. As in the illustratedembodiment, at least one opening within the lower panel (117) is made toaccommodate the wheels and/or the stand of the covered traveling bag.

1. A protective covering for a traveling bag comprising: a housinghaving substantially an equivalent shape to the traveling bag and acavity dimensioned to encompass the traveling bag, the housing definedby an upper section and a lower section; a slot within the upper sectionaligned over the handle of the covered traveling bag, the slotdimensioned to accommodate the handle of the covered traveling bag in atelescoped position therethrough; at least one opening within the lowersection dimensioned to accommodate the wheels and/or the stand of thecovered traveling bag; and an inlet means for providing access forinsertion and removal of the traveling bag into the cavity of thehousing, the inlet means strategically affixed to exterior surface of asection of the housing.
 2. The protective covering of claim 1 furthercomprising: a front section having a cushioning means abutting theinterior wall of the front section; and the cushioning means having anequivalent shape to the front section and being securely attached to theinterior wall of the front section.
 3. The protective covering of claim2 wherein the cushioning means partially spans the interior wall of thefront section.
 4. The protective covering of claim 1 further comprisingat least one first handle strategically placed and securely attached tothe exterior surface of a first section of the housing.
 5. Theprotective covering of claim 4 further comprising at least one secondhandle strategically placed and securely attached to the exteriorsurface a second section of the housing.
 6. The protective covering ofclaim 1 wherein each section of the housing forms a panel having apolygonal shape.
 7. The protective covering of claim 1 wherein thebottom section is made of a rigid material.
 8. The protective coveringof claim 1 wherein the bottom panel comprises at least one first openingto accommodate the wheels supporting the traveling bag.
 9. Theprotective covering of claim 8 wherein the bottom panel comprises atleast one second opening to accommodate the stand of the traveling bag.10. The protective covering of claim 6 wherein the housing furthercomprises a back panel, first side panel, and an opposite second sidepanel.
 11. The protective covering of claim 10 wherein the inlet meansfurther comprises: a releasable fastening means affixed horizontallyacross the back panel at an intermediate location dividing the backpanel into an upper section and a lower section; the back panel beingdefined by an adjoined upper edge, an adjoined lower edge, a detachedside edge and a detached opposite side edge; and when the releasablefastening means is in an opened position, the upper section can bepivoted upward along the upper edge and the lower section can be pivoteddownward along the lower edge, whereby the covered bag can be insertedinto and removed from the protective covering.
 12. The protectivecovering of claim 11 wherein the side edge and the opposite side edgehave an attachable and a detachable means.
 13. The protective coveringof claim 1 wherein the inlet means further comprises: a releasablefastening means affixed vertically across the back panel at anintermediate location dividing the back panel into an left section and aright section; the back panel being defined by an adjoined left edge, anadjoined right edge, a detached upper edge and a detached lower edge;when the releasable fastening means is in the opened position, the leftsection can be pivoted outward along the left edge and the right sectioncan be pivoted outward along the right edge, whereby the covered bag canbe inserted into and removed from the protective covering.
 14. Theprotective covering of claim 13 wherein the upper edge and lower edgehave attachable and detachable means.
 15. The protective covering ofclaim 1 wherein the inlet means further comprises: the back paneldefined by an attached upper edge, a lower edge, a first side edge andan opposite second side edge; a releasable fastening means affixed tothe lower edge, the first side edge and the opposite second side edge;and when the releasable fastening means is in an opened position, theback panel pivots upward and downward along the upper edge.
 16. Theprotective covering of claim 1 wherein the inlet means furthercomprises: the upper panel defined by an attached lower edge, upperedge, first side edge and an opposite second side edge; a releasablefastening means affixed along the upper edge, the first side edge, andthe opposite second side edge; and when the releasable fastening meansis in an open position, the upper panel pivots forward and backward onthe lower edge.
 17. The protective covering of claim 1 wherein the inletmeans further comprises: the at least one side panel defined by an upperedge, a lower edge, a first side edge and an attached opposite secondside edge; and a releasable fastening means affixed to the upper edge,the lower edge, and the first side edge such that when the releasablefastening means is in an opened position the at least one side panelpivots backward and forward along the second opposite side edge.
 18. Theprotective covering of claim 1 wherein the inlet means furthercomprises: a releasable fastening means affixed vertically across the atleast one side panel at an intermediate location dividing the at leastone side panel into an left section and a right section; the at leastone side panel being defined by an adjoined left edge; an adjoined rightedge, a detached upper edge and a detached lower edge; and when thereleasable fastening means is in the opened position, the left sectionbeing pivoted outward along the left edge and the right section beingpivoted outward along the right edge, whereby the covered bag can beinserted into and removed from the protective covering therethough. 19.The protective covering of claim 18 wherein the left edge and the rightedge have an attachable and a detachable means.
 20. The protectivecovering of claim 1 wherein the inlet means further comprises: areleasable fastening means affixed horizontally across the at least oneside panel at an intermediate location dividing the at least one sidepanel into an upper section and a lower section; the at least one sidepanel being defined by an adjoined upper edge, an adjoined lower edge, adetached side edge and a detached opposite side edge; when thereleasable fastening means in the opened position, the upper section canbe pivoted upward along the upper edge and the lower section can bepivoted downward along the lower edge, whereby the covered bag can beinserted into and removed from the cavity of the protective covering.21. The protective covering of claim 20 wherein the upper edge and loweredge have attachable and detachable means.
 22. The protective coveringof claim 1 wherein the covered traveling bag is a bowling bag.
 23. Aprotective covering for a traveling bag comprising: a housing defined bya first upper panel, a lower panel, a front panel, and a back panel; thehousing having a cavity dimensioned to encompass the covered travelingbag; the back panel being defined by an adjoined lower edge, a detachedside edge, an opposite detached side edge, an upper edge; a second upperpanel attached to the upper edge of the back panel; a first slot withinthe first upper panel proximately near its center portion, the slotbeing dimensioned to accommodate the handle of the covered traveling bagin a telescoped position extending upward therethrough; a second slotwithin the second upper panel proximately near its center portion, theslot being dimensioned to accommodate the handle of the coveredtraveling bag in a telescoped position extending upward therethrough;when in a closed position, the second upper panel overlying the firstupper panel; the second upper panel being releasably connected to a sideedge of the first upper panel; and at least one opening within the lowerpanel dimensioned to accommodate the wheels and/or the stand of thecovered traveling bag.